Illuminated switch socket



F 1950 J. F. COURTNEY ILLUIINATED SIITCH SOCKET Filed April 21, 1947 INVENTOR. Joseph I? Cozuirzey B Aiy burned out.

' Patented Feb. 28, 1950 UNITED STATES" PATENT. OFFICE "iliifo'li? Claims. 1

,The present invention relates to illuminated switch sockets, and is particularly concerned with the provision of an improved socket of the switch type which is adapted to be illuminated in the dark when the light is turned off, 'so that the lamp installation may be found in the dark of the class described having a source of illumination within the socket, whichcan be manufactured at a .very low cost, so that it may be placed within the reachof a large number of the public, and the structure of which is very simple, so that its assembly or replacement involves a minimum amount of labor. I

' Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved housing member for electric switch sockets and the like which may be constructed in various useful embodiments in which the housing member may be transparent, translucent, opaque with windows, or it may be translucent and provided in diflerent colors, such as green or redor amber, as required in the different installations, for example, at home, commercial, industrial, traflic control, etc.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved electric switch socket structure including an illuminated housing in which the glow lamp used for illumination is suitably protected and insulated from the electric leads, and so housed that it is not apt to be damaged by persons using a screw-driver upon the connector screws or other parts, and the structure of which is sturdy and emcient, sov that the assembly may be used for practically an indeflniteperiod of time without necessity, for repair or replacement.

the pro-,

of an improved illuminated housing for electric switch sockets in which the light emitted is suitably diffused, and in which there is a control of the brilliancy so as to avoid glare or excessive brilliancy.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved illuminated electric switch socket, the parts of which are so arranged that there is no possibility of short circuit between the electrodes of the lamp which illuminates the housing, and in which both the lamp and the resistance which is utilized with the glow lamp are suitably supported in such manner that no undue strains are placed upon either the lamp,

"its electrodes, or the resistance member.

, Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which similar charactersof reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the single sheet of drawings,

Fig. 1 is'an axial sectional view of an electric switch socket embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram showing the circuit of the device.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane of the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a top plan View of the switch and lamp unit taken on the plane of the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the plane of the line 55 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view in partial section of a modification in which the housing is provided with windows.

The socket assembly preferably includes the lamp and switch unit I0,which is shown in plan in Fig. 4, and the socket housing which consists of a tubular body member H and a light-transmitting cap l2 secured together 'by'means of a threaded ring I3.

The tubular housing member H is preferably molded out of insulating material, such as a suitable plastic or a phenolic condensation compound, and it has a smaller portion H for housing the screw connector sleeve l5 and a larger portion It for housing the switch and lamp unit ill. These two tubular portions of different diameter are separated by an annular shoulder l'l against which the switch and lamp unit l0 may seat at its comers. I

The smaller tubular portion l4 may have external threads I! for the purpose of receiving Another object of the inventionis the provision 58 the threaded rings which support lampshades.

The larger tubular portion II is also provided at its upper end with external threads 13 which are complementary to the pressed threads. 23 formed on the screw ring l3.

The screw ring l3 also has an inwardly extending radial flange 2| which engages on the outside of a portion of the cap l2, such as, for example, the annular surface 22, to press the cap l2 against the annular end seating surface 23 on the larger portion llof the sleeve.

At one side the sleeve portion II' is provided with a slot 24 extending into its end surface 23, and the cap I2 is provided with an axiallug 25 or key for determining the radial position of the cap l2 upon the housing member II.

The screw sleeve l3 may be made of various materials, such as a suitable plastic, but is preferably stamped out of thin sheet metal. The cap l2 preferably comprises a translucentor transparent integral plastic member which is adapted to transmit the illumination which is provided by a glow lamp 23 forming a part of the switch and lamp unit l0.

Various types of plastic may be employed, such as a polystyrene, and the plastic may be clear, translucent, or colored, depending upon the type of installation.

- The cap I2 preferably has a semi-ball-shaped body 21 which is formed at its lower edge with an outwardly extending annular flange". The flange 28 engages under the screw ring l3 and permits the cap to be secured to the body ll.

At its upper end the cap I2 is preferably formed with a relatively thick tubular extension 23 having an enlarged and internally threaded bore 33 which is usually adapted to receive a threaded pipe through which the conductors pass, but the conductors 3|, 32 may merely pass out of the threaded bore 33, or they may be provided with a suitable grommet, if desired.

The body of the cap l2 preferably increases in thickness toward the top, so that it is strong in construction and adapted to withstand abuse. The cap I2 is formed on its interior with a semiball-shaped cavity 33 within which are housed the conductors 3|, 32, and the neon lamp 23 which provides the source of illumination.

The present invention may include various types of electric switch structures, but the assembly preferably includes a snap switch such as the one illustrated. Thus the switch comprises a pair of housing members 34, 35 of molded insulating material for housing and supporting the contacts and other switch elements. These two members are joined along the central plane 33 where they are provided with suitable complementary surfaces, and they are held together by means of a rivet 31 passing through the members 3.4, 35 and riveted over at its end at 38.

The rivet also supports and secures the screw sleeve IS in place, and for this purpose the screw sleeve is provided with a pair of axially projecting tabs 33, 43, each being provided with an aperture for passing the rivet 31. The screw sleeve 15 may be ofconventional construction, comprising a pressed sheet metal cylindrical member, the cylindrical body of which is shown at 4|. At its upper end the tabs 33 and 43 are supported by an inwardly extending flange 42 which borders a cruciform opening.

The cylindrical body 4| of the screw sleeve I! has its lower or end portion provided with helically formed pressed threads 43 which are complementary to the threads on the connector plug of an incandescent bulb.

by means of which the connector strip 44 is prevented from rotating on the rivet 31.

Referring to Fig. 3, the insulating body a is provided with a centrally located, substantially rectangular chamber 43. Within this chamber there are located two fixed contacts 43 and II which are adapted to be bridged by means of a movable contact member 5! (Fig. 1). In order to provide proper connections for the lamp, the

fixed contact forms a part of a U-shaped spring member 52 of sheetmetal, which fits in a slot 53.

The U-shaped spring member 52 has one of its legs 64 supporting the elongated contact 53. The other of its legs 55 is extended and enlarged, and supports the contact member 56 comprising a disk-like spring with an outward curved bulge for engaging the center contact of an incandescent bulb.

The body member 34 also supports the fixed contact 43 which is carried by a U-shaped metal member 51. In this case the shape of this U-shaped member 51 is best shown in Fig. 5. One of its legs 53 is arranged externally to the insulating members 34, 35. The yoke 53 of the U-shapedmember 51 extends across the end of the insulat member 34. The other leg 33 of the U-shaped member 51 extends inwardly of theinsulatin'g, member 34 and carries the upwardly extendii'lg contact 43 (Fig. 5).

When the blocks 34, 35 are assembled, the parts of the block 35 which are arranged 'ternally to the contacts 43 and 53 aid in hol these members in place, and the block 35 has slots for receiving the projecting portions of the U-shaped member 52 and the U-shaped member 51.

At its center bottom the chamber 43 has a cylindrical socket SI for receiving the end of a helical coil spring 62. This coil spring is closely wrapped at its upper end portion 63 where it surrounds and is fixedly secured to the stem 34 of the moving contact 5|. As seen in Fig. 1, the moving contact 5| is'of substantially V-shape, with outwardly extending end portions 35 on each of its legs. These end portions are pressed to form the projecting contacting faces 66 which engage the contacts 49 and 50.

The movable switch contact member 5| is provided with an actuator 61. This actuator member consists of an elongated strip of metal, such as steel, each end of which bears a shank portion 68, 69 which is embedded and secured in a cylindrical insulating push-button member II or H. One of the push-button members is preferably black in color, indicating darkness or the "01! switch position, while the other push-button member is preferably of a color which indicates illumination, such as red. Thus the push-button III, which is pushed to close the switch, may be red, while push-button ll may be black.

Each push-button has its end surface suitably curved at .12 for smooth engagement with the finger of a user.

Intermediate its ends the actuating member 31 isprovided with two camming surfaces 13, I4 separated by a ridge or high point IS. The depth of the ridge l5 and camming surfaces 13, 14 is aae. than the depth 'or'uie V-shaped slot 1c in the movable contact member II, but the nar- 7 row stem portions I8 and II of the actuating member 81 have a clearance with respect to the member downwardly in Fig. 5 until the ridge I8 passes over the contact member 5|. During this time the contact member 8| engages the side wall 8! of the chamber 88, but as soon as the ridge I5 passes over the contact member 8| the camming surface I8 is engaged by the contact member, and the actuating member 81 is then cammed toward the left, while the contact 8| slides upward on the camming surface I8 under the influence of spring 82, and the contact II snaps toward the right to engage fixed contacts 88 and 58, which it bridges. v

The block 38 is provided with a bore 82 (Fig. 5) for receiving a resistor which is connected in series with the neon lamp to limit the amount of current. The cylindrical bore 82 receives and houses and-protects theresistor 83 which has a conductor extendingaxially from each of its ends.

The resistor is seen in dotted lines at 83 extending upwardly and downwardly in Fig. 3. It is located so that it is insulated and spaced from all of the metallic switch parts in the block 38.

The wire 88 from one end of the resistor 83 is brought out of the block and extended under the U-shaped member 52, where it is soldered at 85 to this U-shaped member 52. Thus the resistor 83 is connected to the center contact of the screw socket 58 and also to the fixed contact 58.

The wire 88 from the other end of the resistor 83 (Fig. 3) extends upwardly through a suitable bore and is laterally turned and twisted into firm engagement with one of the leads 81 from the neon lamp 28. The two twisted conductors are shown at 88 and they are preferably covered with a short tube of rubber 88. The other lead 88 from the glow lamp 28 is soldered to the U-shaped member 51 at the point 9 I Thus the resistance 83 and the glow lamp 28 are in series, but theyare bridged across the two open contacts 88 and 58. The glow lamp and its resistance are also in series with the lamp circuit, so that when the switch is open, the lamp circuit is nevertheless energized through the resistance 83 and glow lamp 28, but the resistance so limits the current that there is no illumination of the incandescent bulb, and only the glow lamp is illuminated on open circuit.

These circuit arrangements are best shown in Fig. 2, which is a circuit diagram. Here 83 indicates the resistance and 28 the glow lamp. The fixed contacts are again 83 and 58, and the bridging contact is 5|. The incandescent bulb placed in the screw socket 83 is indicated at 82. It is connected in circuit by the two line conductors 3| and 32, one of which passes directly to the incandescent bulb 82, and the other of which passes to it only through the switch contacts or the glow lamp and its resistance.

The glow lamp 28 preferably lies against the 6 I fiat face" of the switch unit, where it is held by a complementary stirrup, guard or shield 88. Thisstirrupisshowninplaninl lmiandin transverse section in Fig. 1. It comprises a central cylindrical portion 81 and a pair of fiat attaching flanges 88 and 88.

The cylindrical portion 81 embraces and engages the cylindrical body of the glow lamp 28, which is frictionally held therein. The attaching flanges 88 and 88 are each provided with an aperture for'receiving a headed friction pin I88. The pins I88 are driven through the flanges 88 and 88 into suitable bores MI in the insulating members 38, 35, thus securing the stirrup or shield 88 in place, and also securing the glow lamp 28 to the switch unit.

Shield 88 is preferably made of a suitable plastic having insulating light-transmitting qualities, and it is preferably extended so that it overhangs the conductors 88 and 81 which come out of the end of the glow lamp 28. Thus the glow lamp is suitably insulated conductors 3| and 32.

There is no possibility that loose strands of the twisted electrical conductors 3| and 32 may come into engagement with parts of the lamp. The lamp is also protected against enfrom the line gagement with a screwdriver or other tool which i may be used by the operator on the connector screws 88.

Referring to Fig. 6. this is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig; 1, showing an alternative form of cap I2a which might be made of metal, but which is preferably provided with a plurality of window openings I82. Such a metal cap may be, opaque, but may have under it a pressed plastic dome adapted to transmit light through the windows I82, and to prevent users from pushing anything into the socket.

The plastic dome I83 is partially ball-shaped, and fits inside the cap I2a. Ite'has a radially projecting securing flange I88 which is clamped between the cap I21: and the end surface 23 of the housing II. Such a dome may be made of clear light-transmitting material; it may be transparent, translucent, or made of various colors, such as green, red, or amber, depending upon the effect desired. A socket used,for a fire exit light would thus be provided with a red dome I83 through which the illumination from the neon lamp 28 would be colored red.

The operation of my illuminated switch socket is as follows: When the switch is closed the glow lamp 28 and its resistance are shortcircuited by the closure of the switch contacts, and the glow lamp is extinguished. Such is the case when the incandescent bulb 82 is being burned.

When the switch is opened, the circuit is opened at 88, 5|, 58, and the incandescent bulb is extinguished. The incandescent bulb 82 is still connected in circuit through the glow lamp 26 and resistance 83, but the amount of current passing through it is so minute that it is almost immeasurable, and, of course, is notsumcient'to illuminate the incandescent bulb.

On open circuit the glow lamp 28 is illuminated,

and the illumination in the top of the socket causes the cap I2 to glow with sufficient "light.

so that the switch can be found in the dark.

It is well known that such electric switch sockets are usually employed at points where there are no wall sockets, and thus they must be found by the user in the dark, but with the I 78 present invention the socket will always be illu It will thus be observed that 1 have invented an improved illuminated switch socket for in-v candescent bulbs. My socket is illuminated only when the bulb is extinguished, and the illumi- 8 of said housing, said source being connected across the contacts of said switch ,unit in series, with said electrical connector whereby the said source nation is visible only when the room is dark, as

that is the time when the illumination is needed.

Although the glow lamp bumfcontinuously, it

employs so little current that it is negligible.

The present invention embodies the glow lamp and its necessary resistance in a switch unit in such manner that all of its parts are suitably protected and insulated. The structure is simple, capable of economical manufacturaand sale, and adapted to be used for a long period of time without necessity for replacement or repair of any of its parts. r

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to vthe precise details of construction set forth,'

but desire to avail myself of all changes-within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In an illuminated electrical switch socket, the combination of a housing member with a switch unit in said housing member and an electrical connector carried by said housing member for receiving an incandescent bulb, said switch unit controlling the line connection to said electrical connector, and a source of illumination located inside said housing and visible on the outside of said housing, said source being connected across the contacts of said switch unit in series with said electrical connector whereby the said source is energized when the incandescent bulb is de-energized and the socket is illuminated when de-energized for visibility in the dark, said source comprising a glow lamp having spaced electrodes and provided with a series resistance across said switch unit, said glow lamp being secured to said switch unit by a plastic member embracing the glow lamp and having flanges secured to the switch unit.

2. In an illuminated electrical switch socket, the, combination of a housing member with a switch unit in said housing member and an elecunit controlling the line connection to said electrical connector, a source of illumination located inside said housing and visible on th outside of saidhousing, said source being connected across the contacts of said switch unit in series with said electrical connector whereby the said source is energized when the incandescent bulb is deenergized and the socket is illuminated when deenergized for visibility in the dark, said housing comprising a tubular member for housing a switch unit and connector, and a cap member, said cap being provided with a plurality of window openings adjacent said source.

3. In an illuminated electrical switch socket, the combination of a housing member with a switch unit in said housing member and an electrical connector carried by said housing member for receiving an incandescent bulb, said switch unit controlling the line connection to said electrical connector, a source of illumination located inside said housing and visible on the outside is energized when the incandescent bulb is deenergized and the socket is illuminated when deener for visibility in the dark, said housing com ising a tubular member for housing a switch unit and connector. a cap member, said cap being provided with a plurality oi window openingsadiacent said source, and a dome or translucent plastic of predetermined color 10- Y ignated under said cap to close said window open-1 88... Y 1

4. In an illuminated electrical switch socket, the combination of a housing member with a switch unit in said housing member and an electrical connector carried by said housing member for receiving an incandescent bulb, said switch unit controlling the'line connection to said electrical connector, a source of illumination located inside said housing and visible on-the outside of said housing, said sourc being connected across the contacts of said switch unit in series with said electrical connector whereby the said source is energized when the incandescent bulb is deenergized and the socket is illuminated when deenergized for visibility in the dark, said housing comprising a tubular member for housing a switch unit and connector, a cap member, said cap being provided with. a plurality of window openings adjacent said source, a dome oi translucent plastic of predetermined color located under said cap to close said window openings, said cap and dome both having radial securing flanges, and a screw sleeve engaging the threads on said tubular member and clamping said securing flanges against the end of the tubular member.

5. In an illuminated electrical switch socket,

the combination of a housing member with a switchunit in said housing member and an electrical connector carried by said housing member for receiving an incandescent bulb, said switch unit controlling the line connection to said electrical connector, and a source oi illumination located inside said housing and visible on the outside of said housing, said source being connected across the contacts of said switch unit in series with said electrical connector whereby the said source is energized when the incandescent bulb is de-energized and the socket is illuminated when de-energized for visibility in the dark, said source comprising a glow lamp having spaced electrodes and provided with a series resistance across said switch unit, said glow lamp being enclosed with said switch unit in said Y housing by a translucent member enclosing the glow lamp and secured to said housing.

6. In an illuminated electrical switchsocket, the combination of a housing member with a switch unit in said housing member and an electrical connector carried by said housing member for receiving an incandescent bulb, said switch unit controlling the line connection to said electrical connector, a source of illumination located inside said housing and visible on the outside of said housing, said source being connected across the contacts of said switchunit in series with said electrical connector whereby the said source is energized when the incandescent bulb is deenergized and the socket isilluminated when deenergized i'or"visibility in the dark, said housing 'comprising' a tubula member for housing a switch unit and connector, and a cap member, at least a portion of said cap being light-pervious for transmitting, illumination from said source o g of illumination to facilitate the finding of said socket in the dark when the incandescent bulb is turned 01!. J

7. In an illuminated electrical switch socket, the combination 01 a housing member with a switch unit in said housing member and an electrical connector carried by said housing member for receiving an incandescent bulb, said switch unit controlling the line connection to said electrical connector, and a source of illumination located inside said housing and visible on the outside of said housing, said source being connected across the contacts of said switch unit in series with said electrical connector whereby the said source is energized when the incandescent bulb is de-energized and the socket is illuminated when de-energized for visibility in the dark, said source comprising a glow lamp having spaced electrodes and provided with a series resistance across said switch unit, said glow lamp being secured to said switch unit by a. complementary plastic member embracing the glow lamp and having flanges secured to the switch unit, said switch unit including an insulating support, and said support being provided with an elongated recess for receiving said series resistance.

8. In an illuminated electrical switch socket, the combination of a housing member with a switch unit in said housing member and an electrical connector carried by said housing member for receiving an incandescent bulb, said switch unit controlling the line connection to said electrical connector, and a source of illumination located inside said housing and visible on the outside or said housing, said source being connected across the contacts of said switch unit in series with said electrical connector whereby the electrodes and provided with a series resistance across said switch unit, said glow lamp being secured to said switch unit by a complementary plastic member embracing the glow lamp and having flanges secured to the switch unit, the said housing comprising a cylindrical insulating member surrounding'the switch unit and the connector, and a cap engaging the end of said cylindrical member and having a central aperture for passing conductors, said cap being constructed or translucent material, and a threaded member for securing said cap and cylindrical member together.

9. An illuminated electrical switch socket according to claim 6, in which the cap is opaque and is provided with a light transmitting window.

10. An illuminated electrical switch socket according to claim 6, in which the cap is constructed of translucent moldable plastic.

- JOSEPH l". COURTNEY.

nmnnucss club The following references are of record in the ills of this patent:

. UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

